Big Island Outdoor Activities: 20+ Things to do in Hawaii

Knowing what activities are possible on the Big Island is key to choosing the activity that is right for you and your family. It also prevents you from having to change your plans ‘on the fly’.

The Big Island features so many possible activities that not being able to do all activities you would like in your vacation is an often-encountered “problem”. Our personal preference is to stick with a few activities and to make sure they count.

Enjoy the moment and take as much time as you and/or your family/friends need without having to stress about the next item on the itinerary.

In short, some of the reasons for the Big Island’s outdoor fame are the following:

Things to do on the Big Island

You can find outdoor adventure wherever you are on the Big Island. The activities listed below are our favorite things to do here:

ATV Tours

ATV tours are a fun way to explore the beautiful difficult to access places such as the wild forests and cliffs on the Kohala coast. These tours typically take you on a 10+ mile drive through private lands with stops on the way at scenic points, historic sites, and waterfalls. Read more about the ATV Tours on the Big Island.

Beaches

The Beaches are one of the main attractions of the Big Island and are great for being lazy, snorkeling, surfing or what not! Here you can find world-class white sand beaches, but also black sand beaches and even a green sand beach! Read more about the Beaches on the Big Island.

Biking

You can rent a bike to explore the island at your own pace. Biking is a low-key and relaxing (except if you are biking up the volcano) way to explore Hawaii. Put on your helmet and read more about Biking on the Big Island.

Botanical Gardens

The Hilo and Hamakua coasts are filled with rainforest, waterfalls, and tropical flowers and these natural treasures can be most easily seen in one of the botanical gardens on the Big Island. Read more about Botanical Gardens on the Big Island.

Camping

There are campsites and beach parks around the whole Big Island where you can pitch your tent and be truly outdoors. Plan ahead because most campsites need to be reserved ahead of time. Read more about Camping on the Big Island.

Farmers Markets

Farmers markets are one of the little-known gems of the Big Island of Hawaii. They are spread over the whole island and with only a little planning you can stop by one for breakfast, lunch or souvenir shopping on your itinerary around the island. Read more about Farmers Markets on the Big Island.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

By far the most popular tourist destination on the Big Island is the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Here you can hike over recently solidified lava fields, take hikes through rain and fern forests that make you feel like you are in Jurassic park, see the lava glow at night from the Jaggar Museum, and much more! Read more about the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Golfing

The Big Island is known as the golf capital of the state, and Kona is in the heart of it. Some of the biggest names in course design have carved championship golf courses into the island that will call you back to the green – again and again. Read more about Golfing on the Big Island.

Helicopter Tours

The Big Island hides many of its awe-inspiring wonders behind obstacles that are impassable and are impossible to see – except through the air! Think about the hidden waterfalls or fresh lava flows, and what about the lava lakes in the Halema’uma’u and Pu’u O’o craters the Kilauea volcano? Read more about taking a helicopter tour on the Big Island.

Hiking

The Big Island hosts some GREAT hikes through barren lava fields, lush rainforests or to secluded beaches. Or do you feel like hiking through a crater that was filled with lava only 50 years ago? That is also possible! Read more about Hiking on the Big Island.

Horseback riding

Several ranches around Waimea offer the opportunity to explore their (often very large) range as part of a guided tour of the pastures with spectacular views of the coastline and peaks. It is also possible to make it off the range and explore other spectacular parts of the island, such as Waipi’o valley. Learn more about horseback riding on the Big Island.

Hot Ponds

There are several hot springs / hot ponds in the Puna district on the east coast of the Big Island. Most are publicly accessible and especially if you are staying more than 7 days on the Big Island, these make a great addition to your itinerary! Learn more about hot ponds on the Big Island.

Lava Viewing

Both Hilo and Volcano Village are well suited to use as a base when you want to go and see the lava. Hilo is closer to the lava flows in Kalapana, while Volcano village is literally around the corner of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Read more about lava viewing on the Big Island.

Luau and Hula Performances

A Luau show is a good way to experience local food and culture, but there are more (and cheaper) ways to do so. Read about all your options to experience Hawaiian culture in Luau and Hula shows on the Big Island.

Manta-Ray Night Dive

The famous Kona Manta Ray Night Dive is one of the most memorable dives around the planet and is one of the activities in Hawaii that you shouldn’t miss. Read more about the Manta Ray night dive.

Picnic spots

Picnicking is fun and can add much value to your vacation on the Big Island. With a little preparation, such as packing a cooler with cold drinks and pū-pū’s, a picnic fits perfectly between the activities you plan in the morning and the afternoon. Read more about picnicking on the Big Island.

Scenic drives

A small detour to your destination can often open up a whole new face of the Big Island. These scenic drives are made to show some of the beautiful places on the Big Island that you would have missed if you rushed from destination to destination. Read more about Scenic drives on the Big Island.

Scuba Diving

Scuba diving in Hawaii is a great way to get away from the crowds and enjoy the Big Island underwater paradise on your own. The underwater world around all Hawaiian Islands is a #1 destination for Scuba divers worldwide. Read more about Big Island Scuba Diving.

Snorkeling

Hawaii is famous for its warm tropical waters and extremely diverse marine life. The waters around the Big Island are teeming with tropical fish of every size and color, and snorkeling is the perfect way to explore this beautiful underwater world. Read more about Snorkeling on the Big Island.

Stargazing

Hawaii is one of the world’s best places for stargazing, and there are many stargazing options that fit in your itinerary on the Big Island; from a (free) nighttime picnic to an adventurous visit to the world-class telescopes on the summit of Mauna Kea (where you can also find daily free stargazing tours). Read more about Stargazing on the Big Island

Stand Up Paddle boarding (SUP)

Stand up paddle surfing (SUP) or, in the Hawaiian language, Hoe he’e nalu, is an emerging global sport with a Hawaiian heritage. Kona and Hilo both offer SUP board rentals and lessons and are great places to try out SUPping. Read more about SUP.

Swim with Dolphins

Swimming with the dolphins on the Big Island can be done by people of all ages and swimming skills. Those that have done it describe it as an unforgettable experience that will leave you with memories for a lifetime. Do not forget to take your (waterproof) camera. Read more about swimming with dolphins on the Big Island.

Surfing

Hawaii is the birthplace of surfing and the Big Island offers surfing for all levels. If you have never experienced the thrill of riding a wave but want to you should try signing up for a surfing class at a local surf school. Read more about surfing on the Big Island.

Volunteering

One way to have fun AND do good at the same time is to become a volunteer on Hawaii. Giving something back to mother nature is guaranteed to be a memorable experience and, besides, it will take you into the wilderness that few other visitors (and locals for that matter) will ever experience! Read more about the volunteering opportunities on the Big Island.

Waterfalls

The lush and tropical north and east coast (Hilo, Hamakua coast, Waipi’o Valley) of the Big Island are filled with waterfalls. We list the 5 most easily accessible, biggest and most popular waterfalls. Read more about waterfalls on the Big Island.

Whale Watching

Hawaii is a great place to go whale watching during in the period between December and May, and the Big Island is one of the most popular Hawaiian Islands for Whale watching. Read more about whale watching on the Big Island.

Ziplining

Ziplining is an activity where you are attached with a harness to a rope that is strung between a high and a low point. The zip lines are built high above scenic areas and features such as ravines, jungles, meadows, and forests, and there are plenty of those on the Big Island. Read more about Ziplining on the Big Island.

This entry was last modified: September 19th, 2018 by Love Big Island

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